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WOLFWALKERS

THE GRAPHIC NOVEL

A sweet and compelling friendship story.

A human girl and a weregirl forge an unlikely bond.

In this graphic novel based on the movie of the same name, English Robyn Goodfellowe is a recent transplant to Ireland with her father, who was sent by Oliver Cromwell to hunt wolves threatening workers who are clearing the ancient forests. Robyn wants to be a hunter like her dad, but he refuses to listen to her wishes, commanding her instead to work as a maid. One day, on a clandestine forest trip, Robyn meets Mebh, a wild, red-haired Irish girl with a strong connection to nature. Robyn learns that Mebh is a Wolfwalker: human by day, wolf at night. Mebh’s mother is missing, and Cromwell’s cronies are quickly destroying more of the forest, pushing the wolves out of their ancestral home. Can the girls find common ground and help each other? Sattin’s adaptation is a visual delight, with largely wordless action sequences filled with fast, edge-of-your-seat pacing culminating in a message stressing the importance of tolerance and empathy. Robyn and Mebh’s friendship comes alive through the panels, making this a strong female-driven alternate history set in a time when girls had few choices. Young readers unfamiliar with Irish history might have benefited from a supplemental note. All characters are White.

A sweet and compelling friendship story. (Graphic fantasy. 9-13)

Pub Date: Dec. 1, 2020

ISBN: 978-0-316-46178-8

Page Count: 272

Publisher: Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: Nov. 16, 2020

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2020

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THE ELDERS' QUEST

From the Warriors: Changing Skies series , Vol. 1

A strong start to a new series in the ever-popular Warriors world: Legions of fans will purr.

Increased evidence of encroachment by Twolegs and other ominous signs of change roil the five feline Clans of the lake territories in this kickoff of a new story arc.

In intertwined storylines, a distracting voice in a young apprentice’s head takes on increasingly scary strength, disturbing visions inform an experienced warrior that she’s been chosen by the spirit guides of StarClan to play an unwanted role in impending troubles, and a wise but weakening Clan leader faces being voted out of office due to her age. Meanwhile, the enigmatic Twolegs are tearing up a forested area, poisoning an important stream, and possibly threatening all the established territories of the five Clans. Avid series fans will welcome encounters with older versions of Leafstar, Tawnypelt, and other stalwarts whom they met in previous episodes. Detailed maps labeling the terrain in both cat and Twoleg terms appear at the beginning of the book, along with a cast list of truly imposing length, helping any readers who need reminders to keep track of the dozens of relationships and Clan affiliations. Better yet, expertly mixed in among dreams and discussions that crank up the general level of anxiety, the book has enough incidental action and individual wrestling with personal issues to help the main characters stand out from the furry crowd.

A strong start to a new series in the ever-popular Warriors world: Legions of fans will purr. (Animal fantasy. 9-12)

Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2025

ISBN: 9780063357068

Page Count: 288

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Feb. 15, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2025

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GRACIELA IN THE ABYSS

A thrilling, action-packed journey filled with heart, bravery, and ghostly exploits.

An ocean-dwelling ghost girl confronts powerful forces.

Graciela is dead. She fell from a cliff into the ocean in a terrible accident, only to awaken as a ghost in an underwater community of spirits—souls of those who have died at sea. Her Guide and friend, Amina, teaches her how to navigate this new existence, from performing duties that make “the living world more bearable by keeping the sea in a delicate balance,” to the rules that protect them from the living. Amina dreams of joining the Almas, powerful spirits who guard the ocean’s secrets from the castle Salemúria, but Graciela is desperate for Amina to stay with her. Meanwhile, Jorge Leon, a boy from a long line of blacksmiths, is trapped by his brutish parents in a life of cruelty. His only joy is crafting whimsical toys from metal scraps. When Jorge discovers a sinister harpoon forged by his treasure-hunting ancestor—one capable of killing sea ghosts—he attempts to render it harmless but accidentally sets off a dangerous chain of events. When Graciela’s and Jorge’s paths cross, they must work together to confront and defeat evil forces. With breathtaking underwater worldbuilding and eerie details, Medina’s latest immerses readers in Graciela’s ghostly realm, and they’ll root for the unlikely duo on their perilous quest. The Balbussos’ hauntingly beautiful illustrations enhance the story. The characters and setting evoke Spanish and Portuguese cultural influences.

A thrilling, action-packed journey filled with heart, bravery, and ghostly exploits. (map, color guide, glossary) (Fantasy. 9-13)

Pub Date: July 1, 2025

ISBN: 9781536219456

Page Count: 256

Publisher: Candlewick

Review Posted Online: April 4, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2025

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